The Kingdom of Denmark is a highly developed, stable democracy with a modern economy. Greenland is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the Faroe Islands have home rule within the Kingdom of Denmark. Read the Department of State Fact Sheet on Denmark for additional information on U.S.-Denmark relations.

Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements

Denmark is a party to the Schengen Agreement. This means that U.S. citizens may enter Denmark for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay. We recommend that your passport be valid for at least six months whenever you travel abroad to avoid unintended travel disruptions. You need sufficient funds and a return airline ticket. For additional details about travel into and within Schengen countries, please see our Schengen fact sheet.

If you are coming to Denmark to study, your student visa will allow you to enter Denmark 30 days prior to the start of your study program and remain for 14 days after the end of your program. These days are non-transferrable, meaning if you enter the Schengen zone only ten days before the start of your student visa’s validity, you may not add 20 extra days to the 14 days that you may stay after your program ends. Your Danish visa is a Schengen visa, which will allow you to travel in the Schengen zone for the period of validity. Some Schengen countries will allow you to visit after the expiration of your student visa. Please check with the individual immigration services of the countries you plan to visit. Generally you cannot benefit from the 90-day visa-free tourist travel period at the end of your study. Please note that Danish immigration distinguishes between the categories ‘Basic and Youth Study Programs’ and ‘Higher Educational Programs.’ If you have been granted a residence permit in order to complete a higher educational program in Denmark, your residence permit will be valid for an additional six months after you complete the program. More detailed information is available via the Danish Immigration Service website.

Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not party to the Schengen Agreement; however, you may travel to either of those places for 90 days for business or tourism purposes without a visa. Residence and work permits issued exclusively for Greenland or the Faroe Islands are not valid for travel to Schengen countries.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Denmark.

Denmark remains largely free of terrorist incidents; however, like other nations, Denmark faces an increased threat of terrorism. In 2011 and 2012, police arrested individuals accused of planning terrorist attacks in Denmark. The 2005 and 2010, publication in Denmark of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad continues to impact Danish relations with the Muslim world and draw the attention of some extremists.

As with other countries in the Schengen area, Denmark’s open borders allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering and exiting the country with anonymity. You are reminded to remain vigilant with regard to your personal security and to exercise caution. In general, Copenhagen is a safe city, but certain areas require greater security awareness than others. For instance, late at night, you should be extra vigilant in central Nørrebro and Vesterbro.

Public demonstrations occasionally occur in Copenhagen and other cities, and are generally peaceful events. Prior police approval is required for public demonstrations, and police routinely provide oversight to ensure adequate security for participants and passers-by. Nonetheless, as with any large crowd composed of diverse groups, situations may develop which could pose a threat to public safety. You should avoid areas where public demonstrations are taking place. Be aware that participation in illegal demonstrations or street riots may result in immediate imprisonment and long-term bans on re-entering Denmark.

Follow the U.S. Embassy in Denmark on Twitter and by visiting the Embassy’s website

In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.

Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroes all have relatively low violent-crime rates. Robberies, sexual assault, and racially motivated violence are rare. Violent confrontations occasionally take place involving various immigrant gangs and outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in Denmark, but do not typically affect tourists and law-abiding Danish citizens. There is always a possibility that travelers could be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and immediately leave the area if they feel threatened. Be particularly vigilant in the Nørrebro and Vesterbro areas of Copenhagen late at night.

Freetown Christiania, located in the Christianshavn area of Copenhagen, has been known to be a hostile environment for tourists. Historically, Christiania has been the site of illicit drug activity. Recent drug enforcement efforts have resulted in clashes between the police and Christiania residents. Because of the illicit activity taking place in the area, Christiania residents have imposed a strict no-photography policy; tourists have been assaulted and robbed for taking pictures. Police and emergency services are limited in Christiania.

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers operate mainly at train stations -- the Copenhagen Central Station in particular -- and on crowded trains or buses, as well as in areas frequented by tourists. Sophisticated thieves also target the Copenhagen Airport and cruise ship quays. The best precaution is to keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Do not put any bags containing valuables, such as your passport or credit cards, down on the ground or on the back of a chair. Watch your computer bag, which is particularly desirable. Popular tourist attractions, like shopping streets and restaurants, also attract pickpockets and thieves. Hotel lobbies and breakfast rooms attract professional, well-dressed criminals who blend in with guests and target purses and briefcases left unguarded by unsuspecting tourists and business travelers. Pickpockets and purse-snatchers often work in pairs or groups, with one person distracting the victim while another grabs the valuables. Since car and home break-ins have become more prevalent in recent years, we strongly recommend that you not leave any valuables in parked vehicles and ensure your vehicle or residence is locked properly when you leave it.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

Replace a stolen passport.

Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.

Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.

Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

Denmark has a program to provide financial compensation to victims who suffer serious injuries due to crime. The victim must report the incident to the police within 24 hours. Danish police routinely inform victims of serious crime of their right to seek compensation. The relevant forms are available from the police or from the Danish Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Adelgade 13, 1304 Copenhagen K. TEL: 45-3392 3334; FAX: 45-3920 4505, e-mail: erstatningsnaevnet@erstatningsnaevnet.dk. Claim processing time is a minimum of three months. While there is no maximum award limit, victim compensation payments are generally far lower than equivalent payments in the United States, due to Denmark’s generous domestic social welfare coverage. More information about compensation payments to victims of serious crime is available at the Compensation Board’s website.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Denmark is “112.” For non-life threatening situations, individuals in the greater Copenhagen area may dial 1813 to reach an urgent medical helpline.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Denmark, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Denmark’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Denmark are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Denmark, driving under the influence may lead to confiscation of your driver’s license and in some cases could land you immediately in jail. Possession of dangerous weapons, including knives, may result in criminal penalties. If you break local laws in Denmark, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

Greenland has very strict laws on the removal of natural resources, including any precious and semi-precious metals, stones, and gemstones found there. Before attempting to extract or export any of these materials, check with local authorities to make certain that doing so is not against the law.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: At present, Denmark does not allow for acquisition of dual nationality after birth; however, changes to Danish law allowing for acquisition of dual citizenship are expected to come into effect in the coming year. Denmark requires all male citizens, resident in Denmark and 18 years of age, to participate in a compulsory military draft. Conscripts serve for an initial training period varying from four to 12 months, according to specialization.

We are not aware of any special currency or customs circumstances for this country.

Greenland: If you are considering travel on cruise ships near Greenland, you should be aware that search and rescue capabilities are limited due to limited capacity and long distances between populated areas. Currently, the combined search-and-rescue ship capacity is less than what would be needed to respond to an incident involving one of the large cruise ships that frequent the area. Search-and-rescue ships offer basic transport and basic medical care, but are not equipped to provide advanced life support. There are uncharted waters in some fjords, and water temperatures can be frigid, even during summer months. Emergency medical facilities outside of Nuuk are limited in number and in types of services offered. Eastern Greenland is even more remote, and services are even more limited. If you are thinking of such a trip, please carefully consider these factors and check the operational records and the experience of captains and crews operating vessels in Arctic waters when selecting cruises off the shores of Greenland.

If you wish to explore Greenland by land, we strongly encourage you to hire experienced guides. Trekking in the coastal areas generally requires no official permission, but any travel into the huge national park in northeastern Greenland and any treks across the central ice fields require official permission. Please check with your tour operator to make sure that the company has received the necessary permission for such trips. Given the landscape, long periods of darkness, extreme temperatures, and the potential for fast-changing weather, persons unfamiliar with the area can become disoriented easily and risk long-term exposure to the elements. While the mountains in Greenland are of moderate altitude, they are technically difficult; so familiarity with ascent and descent routes is a must. While the authorities will rescue individuals in difficulty, land search and rescue capabilities are limited and subject to weather restrictions. In some circumstances, you may be billed for the cost of rescue services.

Given the remoteness of Greenland, you should strongly consider obtaining travel insurance that could pay any expenses relating to illness, injury, or death. Although emergency medical assistance is mainly free of charge, even to tourists, all additional services will have an extremely high cost. Queen Ingrid’s Hospital, the main hospital in Nuuk, offers a full range of medical services, but medical facilities in outlying towns and settlements are very basic. In most cases, evacuation by air to Nuuk would be required. Most medicines are available in Greenland, and medical staff will suggest appropriate alternatives if necessary. Expect emergency medical evacuations from Nuuk to Denmark or Iceland to be very costly. Evacuations from remote interior regions will cost significantly more. The cost of funeral services in Greenland is significantly higher than in Denmark.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBT events in Denmark. Danish law provides for same-sex marriage. Denmark is an open society where LGBT travelers do not normally encounter discrimination based on sexual orientation. The non-governmental organization LGBT.DK states on its website that Denmark is among EU leaders in a lack of discrimination against LGBT persons. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Denmark you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Denmark, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States; however, the law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care or other state services, and other areas. In addition, the law mandates access to buildings, education, information, and communications for persons with disabilities. The Danish government generally enforces these provisions. All forms of public transportation have accommodations for persons with disabilities, but many buildings and outdoor sites only have stairs or are otherwise not easily accessible for the disabled. Accessibility information is available on the Danish tourist organization’s website, Visit Denmark. A parliamentary ombudsman monitors the equal treatment of disabled persons and receives complaints related to discrimination against disabled persons.

Health

Excellent medical facilities are widely available in Denmark. In Greenland and the Faroe Islands, medical facilities are more limited, and evacuation is required for serious illness or injury. Although emergency medical treatment is free of charge, the patient is charged for follow-up care. There are modern, fully equipped hospitals throughout Denmark; the largest – also called University Hospitals – are located in Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Denmark, you may encounter traffic conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. You must be 18 years of age to drive a car in Denmark. U.S. tourists may use their state driver’s license in Denmark for up to 90 days. Long-term residents must obtain a valid Danish driver’s license. Driving in Denmark is on the right side of the road. Road signs use standard international symbols. Many urban streets have traffic lanes reserved for public transport only, and bicycle lanes are very common. Unless otherwise noted on traffic signs, the speed limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on open roads, and 130km/h on expressways.

Use of seat belts is mandatory for drivers and all passengers. Children under three years of age or under 135 cm in height must be secured with approved safety equipment appropriate to the child’s age, size, and weight.

Driving any vehicle, including a bicycle, under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered a very serious offense. The rules are strictly enforced and violations can result in stiff fines and jail sentences. It is also against the law to drive while using a hand-held cell phone.

Denmark has an extensive and efficient public transportation system. Trains, buses, and ferries connect Copenhagen with other major cities in Denmark and with Norway, Sweden, Poland, and Germany.

Bicycles are also widely used in Denmark. Passengers crossing streets or exiting public or tourist buses, as well as tourists driving rental cars, should be vigilant in watching out for bicycles using designated lanes and paths, which are usually located between the pedestrian sidewalk and the motor-vehicle lane, or on the streets in areas where there are no bike lanes. Many accidents occur when pedestrians and vehicles fail to give the right-of-way to bicycles.

Danish expressways, highways, and secondary roads are of high quality and connect all areas of the country. It is possible to drive from the northern tip of Jutland or from Copenhagen to the German border in the south in just four hours. Greenland has no established road system, and almost all domestic travel is by foot, boat, or air. The majority of the Faroe Islands are interconnected by roads and tunnels, as well as by boats, and on the large islands even small hamlets are generally accessible by road. On the smaller islands, travel is mostly done on foot.

There is excellent mobile telephone coverage throughout Denmark, including its many islands. Mobile telephone coverage is also generally good in the Faroe Islands; coverage is more sporadic in Greenland and usually incurs high extra charges for roaming.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Denmark’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Denmark’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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